Son to shine again for Tottenham at Swansea

FA Cup quarter-final
BT Sport 1, 12.15pm Saturday

Mauricio Pochettino is still searching for his first trophy as a manager but his Tottenham side should stay on course for FA Cup glory despite the absence of injured hitman Harry Kane.

Spurs head to Swansea for a quarter-final that looks eminently winnable and, not for the first time, Heung-Min Son is the man who can shine brightest with Kane on the sidelines.

It used to be said that Son was underrated, possibly even by his manager Pochettino who has not always seen the South Korean as one of his untouchable first-teamers, but 18 goals in all competitions is an excellent return this season.

Son has been sensational in recent weeks, scoring seven times in his last four matches, mainly cutting in from the left wing where the two-footed former Bayer Leverkusen man is so difficult to nullify.

However, when Kane went off in the first half of last week's win at Bournemouth Son who became the main striker and he scored twice.

Kane came on for the final 22 minutes when Spurs visited Swansea in the Premier League, playing a part in Dele Alli's late goal, but on that occasion former Liberty Stadium favourite Fernando Llorente got Tottenham off to a flyer.

It's hard to know whether Llorente will be in from the start on his return to Wales, although whichever combination of attacking players Pochettino selects should get the job done in 90 minutes, presuming there is not wholesale rotation as was the case in the previous rounds against EFL sides Newport and Rochdale.

Swansea team profile

Tottenham team profile

FA Cup stats

Premier League standings

On those occasions Tottenham needed replays - an outcome which can't happen this time with the tie decided on the day through extra-time and a shootout if required - while Swansea's run to this stage has come via additional matches in every round.

Carlos Carvalhal's men eventually got the better of Wolves, Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday and he has promised to go full tilt for this quarter-final with Swansea's relegation battle put on hold for a couple of weeks due to the international break.

Swansea have also won seven matches in a row at the Liberty, a run which includes successes against Liverpool and Arsenal, so the outsiders have a squeak of causing an upset.

However, it's difficult to see where the goals will come from as likely sole striker Tammy Abraham last hit the target against top-flight opposition in October.

The Ayew brothers - Jordan and Andre - are sidelined along with Wilfried Bony and it's asking plenty of Abraham to step up despite his obvious potential.

The Chelsea loanee has only scored against MK Dons, Crystal Palace, Watford, Huddersfield and Notts County and Spurs are considerably stronger than those five clubs.

Recommendation
H-M Son first goalscorer
1pt 9-2 Betfair

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Swansea
Jordan Ayew is suspended, while Andre Ayew and Andy King are cup-tied. Wilfried Bony, Leroy Fer, Angel Rangel and Renato Sanches are injured.

Tottenham
Reserve keeper Michel Vorm usually starts domestic cup ties. Harry Kane is out, while Dele Alli and Danny Rose are doubts but Toby Alderweireld has returned to full training.

Key stat
Swansea have not won in 14 attempts against Tottenham since returning to the top flight in 2011.

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